Method and apparatus for separating seed and other bodies



Dec. 7 1926.

Filed April *7, 1922 H. R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEED AND OTHER BODIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 7 1926.

H. R. WARREN METHD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEED AND OTHER BODIES Filed April '7, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 7 1926.

H. R. WARREN Filed April v, 1922` MED/UM METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEED AND OTHER BODIES Dec. 7 1926.

' H. R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEED AND OTHER BODIES Filed April '7, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i I il w ucm-Foz Patented Dec. 7, l926.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATE S HARRY R. WAR-REN, OFZWABUSKA, NEVADA, ASSIGNGR TO WZARRE-N SEED CLEANLNG COMPANY, OF RENO, NEVADA.,

A CORPORATION OF NEVADA..

METHOD AND APPARATUS v:EOE SEPARATNG SEED AND OTHER BODIES.

Application iled' April 7,

'Speaking ironia prac-tical experience of many years as a seed producer on a large scale in which I have made use of Vthe best appliances on the market available for cleaning and separating seed, it is impossible by suc-h appliances known to me to get results which do not involve serious waste and loss of seeds of value which must be treated as mere `tailings or screenings Ybecause of their unsalvageable mixture with a large percentage ot noxious seeds, and which, even when the percentage of objectionable seeds is suiiicientiy small to comply with the pure seed laws which exist in neariy all States, are a serious menace i'rom the propagation of baneful growths which is inevitable from even the planting or" a tew noxious seeds present in the proportion permitted by the pure seed laws. This inadequacy of separation of noxious seeds from good seeds is reflected in the pure seed laws which placing the standard of purity as high as possible without vbeing prohibitive ot' dealing in seeds, (and thus suicidally making it impossible for the farmer to obtain seeds), dare not, in the most exacting States, require a higher percentage of purity than from C9% to 97%. v'In some States a percentage as low as 90% is permitted. Obviously the waste in good seeds and the loss from the damage rcaused by weed pests `are enormous. The object of my invention is to eliminate this almost incalculable loss. My invention is the outcome ot thorough investigation ot the methods and appliances commonly used for seed separation vrand ot the problems that the vgreat diversities in seeds present. By my invention perfect salvage or separation can be eiilected, and by means of ,apparatus oi' simple and not costly construe` tion, and of such rapid performance of the operations'required as to be quite inexpensive. My invention is based in the familiar 'fact that bodies of different specific gravity, when placed in a liquid, will settle or fioat therein at different levels, and while l am aware that it has been proposed to utilize this principle in the separation of seeds, l do not know that it has been done in actual practice or on a commercial scale, and I am convinced 'from my practically ascertained knowledge of the subject that unless charcteristics which diiierentiate my method and apparatus from what has been heretofore proposed are' utilized, it is impossible 1922. Serial No. 550,398.

to employ` way.

The problem of seed separation by iotasuch principle in a truly practical tion is rendered ditiicult because seeds in thev same mixture will dider but very little in specific gravity. A liquid such as normal water is not eili-cient in such cases. A heavier or denser liquid must be used, 'but since that brings the liquid and seeds, or soi-ne oil them, to so near a like specific gravity that anything that will cause move- Yment or disturbance of the liquid will have plain water, and aqueous solutions may have on the seeds. Thus salt (sodium chloride), in the water to add to its density sterilizes some seeds, and any undue saturation oil the seeds may be objectionable. It will therefore be evident that the ecient, sate, and otherwise satisfactory separation of seeds in a mixture ci assorted seeds, chaff, dirt, etc., calls :tor the solution 'of various problems.

in the drawings Fig. l is a front elevationl of apparatus which may be used to practice the method or process have invented and which has a construction that embodies my inventionregarded as an apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in vertical section through the basket and one of the liquid containing tanks;

3 is a view similar to F ig. l illustrating another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. fl is a vertical section Vsimilar to Fig. 2 of the embodiment of my invention shown in F ig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the members shown in Fig. 4e separated;

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 1 or" another form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a section on line ,k7-.7 of Fig-2;

8 is a vertical section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

F ig. 9 is a vertical section oi basket for grading potatoes; f

Fig. l0 is a detail view in vertical section illustrating a pump device ttor subjecting the treating liquid to pressure;

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section, diagrammatic in nature, illustrating the stratitiration and separation procedure;

Fig. 12 is a view in elevation somewhat diagrauunatic illustrating an embodiment ot' my invention in which the treat-ing liquids or solutions are contained in separate tanks and a single treating tank is employed to which the different liquids are supplied in succession;

Fig. 18 is a view somewhat diagrammatic illustrating a pneumatic stratum iemoving means.

Fig. 1t is a vertical section ot' a centritu gal drier that I may use provided with scarifying means` My invention, both as to method or process and apparatus, may be carried out or practiced by means ot apparatus differing *idely in structure and arrangement from that shown in the drawings, and hence the scope of my invention is not to be conlined to whatis illustrated, and which l describe hereafter, but entends to what is deiined by or embraced within the scope ot' the appended claims.

Generally describing the apparatus shown in the drawings, it will be found to embody a series ot liquid holding tanks ot similar construction, some of which contain pure water, and several, (in the case shown, three in number), that contain solutions of diterent densities and a` receptacle tor the seed mixture to be treated, which for convenience, I shall call a basket, which in succession is lowered into and removed from the liquids in the respective tanks, the interior oit' the basket at the bottom or lower part being open but the sides closed so that as the basket is lowered into the liquid, the liquid in the inclosing tank will, or may, ascend into the basket, means being provided to exert pressure on the liquid as the basket descends to cause the tiow of the liquid into the basket under positive pressure, this pressure being produced in the case of the apparatus shown in the drawings by surrounding the basket at its bottom with a ring that in ellect constitutes a piston that presses downward on the liquid in the tank as the basket descends, a suitable valve arrangement being provided that opens when the basket asccnds to allow the tlow of liquid past said piston. Thus by a sort of pumping action the liquid when the basket is alternately lowered and litted may be caused to surge back and forth between the tank and the interior ot the basket and thereby eiticiently displace the seed or other elements of the mixture and facilitate their disposition in horizontal layers according to their respective speciiic gravities. When the components or elements of the mixture are stratified the heaviest and therefore the lowermost layer is removed by discharging it from the bottom ot the basket and passing what is thus separated through apparatus which will remove any solution adhering thereto so that in the case ot' seeds of value they may be delivered trom the apparatus in a normal or natural state and so that the solution may be salvaged tor use over again. By locatingthe treating tanks in an elevated position I am able to use gravity in effecting the separation of a layer or stratum of the mixture and its passage through the washing and other appliances that my treatment contemplates.

Proceeding now with a description in detail of what is shown in the drawings and referring iirst 'to what is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the basket, 10, is of cylinder form having impertorate side walls and a bottom, 1'1, that is ot wire mesh or otherwise perforated, that is otI funnel shape so that while it will adequately support a mixture of seeds and other material there may be a tree 'low ot liquid into and out of the basket. it has a top or cover, 12, preferably hinged so that it may be swung to open and close the top which has a gasket, 18, or other packing, to make an air-tight closure so that when the top is in a closed position and the basket is li'lfted, whatever liquid is in the basket at such time will be lifted with the basket and may be emptied therefrom by opening the cover to allow the entrance ot' air. At its top the basket has pivoted to it a handle or bail, 1st, by which the basket may be suspended from the rope or chain, 15, oit a hoist, 16, that is mounted upon an overhead trolley track, 1T, above the series ot tanks and thus the basket may be shifted back and forth between the tanks and lowered into and raised :troni any one ot them.

lThe tank in which the seed mixture is lirst to be treated is a tank, 18, that contains pure or normal water, the purpose of this treatment being to wash the seed oit any adhering dust or dirt and also to facilitate the movement of the seeds in the heavier solutions, such movement being facilitated thereby. The water tank, 18, at its bottom in coinn'iunication with a sediment box, 19, a valve, LO, being provided .in the pipe that runs trom the tank to the sediment box.

it the bottom edge ot the basket, 10, and on the outside thereot` is a ring, 21, which tits with more or less closeness the annular space between the basket and the wall ot the tank, 18, and constitutes a piston which acts upon the water in the tank, 18, around the basket as the latter descends and thereby the water is forced from the tank, 18, into the basket with the result that the basket content-s are stirred up or agitated, and thus eiiicient access ot the water to the seeds, etc.,

incense in the basket afforded. Any desired de greeof turbulent movement may be secu-red by varying the rate of movement ot the basket. The piston forming ring, 2 1, is provided with a check valve or valves, 22, which prevent thev upward passage of liquid as they basket descends in the tank into the space between theV basket and-the tank while al-V lowing the flow into suc-h space of liquid when the basket is lifted.

After being washed in the water tank, 18, the basket, l0, is moved to posit-ion above a tank, 2st, which containsa liquid ot the greatest density that is to be used in the treat-ment, such density being suiiicient to cause the ascent in the liquid of all components of the mixture, excepting, for eX- ample, such noxious seeds as dodder, gravel, dirt, and the like, so that heavy dodder, gravel, etc., will-be accumulated or collected in the lower part oi the basket in a layer or stratum sharply separated from the lighter components oi the mixture which will contain seeds ot value of several grades and such light stuit as cliaii'. rl`he separation or segregation oi' the mixture by the action ot the solution in the tank, 24, isV facilitated by the reciprocation or up and down movement of the basket, which by the pumping action on the liquid in the tank, 24, such as I have described will cause the displacement. ot theV components and their loosening up or separation from one another. In order that the action taking place in the basket,

l0, may be readily seen, the` basket, l0, mayv have in itsr side an observation window, or glass, 25, and an observation window or glass, 26, may be provided in the side oi the tank, 2li. To obviate any obscuring effect of the liquid in the annular space between the basketr and the tank, 24, the basket when it is desired to inspect its contents may belitedsuiticient in the tank, 2d, to clear the liquid' in the tank, 24, such liquid as may be forced into the basket, 10,'being contained therein by the closing or" theV basket cover, ll.

From the bottomV oic the tan-k, 2i, (which is preferably of' cone torni or funnel shaped), depends a pipe, 2"?, which leadsv into the top of a smaller tank, 28, directly below the tank, 24%, ay valve, 29, being placed in such pipe to controlv flow from the tank,

24e, to the tank, 28, below it'. llhen the stratification to be yeffected in tank, 24, is accomplished, theV dodder and vother objectionable material collected in the bottom part of the basket, 10, is discharged therefrom through a smal-l opening, 30, in the erforatedbottom, ll, of the basket, which liole, 30, is closed by a valve, 3l, which is moved to an open position when the removal ot dodder, etc., is tcl be eiected. The valve, 29, also being open, the material iow Y ingV out of 'the basketwill' pass through the pipe, 27, and pour into the tank, 28, the

' matters.

valve, 29, being closed tof shut oili the flow when all the dodder, etc., has been removed from: the basket,- and, course, the valve, 31, cont-rolling the opening, 30, in the bot-- tom of the basket being also closed` The top ot the tank, 28, of course, is closed and to allow escape o air from within the tank as it iill's with dodder etc. and a Jortion of the solutionV that flowsV from the tank, 24, a breather pipe, V32, is provided that at its upper end is` carriedto al vel above the highest level of liquid within lthe tank, 2e. The tank, 28,- wliich also preferably has :i hopper shaped bottom, has an outlet pipe, 33, from its bottoni which has a valve, 34;, and aboveV the valve, 3i, a branch outlet pipe, 35, having a con-trol valve, 36, leads to a tank, 37, so that wheny `the valve, 316, is open, the valve, 3.4i, in the outlet pipe, 3l, being closed, such solution as enters the tank, 28, with the dodder, etc., may be delivered to the tank, 3T, which for conveniencel term the salvage solution tank, for its purpose is to save such solution .as may pass from tan-k, 25:, with the dodder, etc, The opening into the pipe, 35, from the discharge pipe, 33, has a screen, 350, which will'allow only liquid to pass into the pipe,

35, and not dodder and accompanying solid The solution having thus been drained from the tank, 26, the valve, in pipe, V35, is closed, land the valve, 34, in the outlet pipe, 33, is open so that the drained dodder and other material may pass into Va receiving tank, 38, below which is partially filled with clear water, to effect the washi ig of the dodder and other material entering the tank, 38, or any other treating solution adhering thereto for the purpose of saving it, and vfrom the receiving tank, 38, the heavy doddfe'r and -other solids and the liquid therein are passed to a tank, 39, and Valve'd pipes, 40 and 4l, corresponding` to tank, 28, andV pipes, 33 and 3e, tor eifectingthe separation of liquid and solidv matters that pass to the tank, 39, the liquid from the pipe, Lil-'1, being delivered to a. receiving tank, 42, with which is connected a centrifugal pump, 43, that returns it through pipe, e2, to the tank, 38, and dodder and other solid matter passing through the discharge pipe, e0, being delivered to drying apparatus which consists preferably of a centrifugal drier, 45, and a rotary drum type drier, 46, froinwhich the dodder and other refuse discharged by the pipe, 40, in a thoroughly dried conditi-on, are delivered.

For the return to the tank, 24, oit solution drained into-'the catchV tank or basin, 3?, a pump, 47, may be provided iroin which a pipe, l-S, leads to the upper part ot the tank, 24. The catch'tank, 37 is provided with settling o-r sediment box, 50.

After the voperation in connection with tank, 24, which results in the elimination of lill() lili dodder and refuse material settling in the basket below the seeds of value and matters lighter than the latter, the remainingbasket contents are subjected to the action of tanks and other apparatus identical with that already described in connection with the stratiication preliminary to the removal ot the dodder, etc., the similar or corresponding, aarts beine' similarly numbered with an ai"- hx of the letter a to each number, the tank, Q-Ltf, containing a solution of a density that will allow only bodies ot' less specitic gravity than the seeds ot value ot' tirst grade to rise to and be supported in a layer higher than such seeds ot value which are thereupon removed .from the basket by a treatment or procedure identical with that which l have described in connection with the removal ot dodder, ete., in the mixture, and a. third apparatus consisting; of solution holdingtank and other tanks and apparatus precisely similar to the two which comprise the solution tank, 2st, and the solution tank. 2st, is provided for the stratiiieation ot seeds ot value of second quality and the lighter bodies remaining` with them in the basl t, 10, and the corresponding,- parts oit this third unit or treating apparatus are deifw ted b v the same numerals as those two units with the suilix to each numeral ot the letter, i3. The solution in the tank, 2%", has a density which causes such lightniaterial chaff to rise to a level in the basket higher than the second quality seeds ot value and by a similar procedure to that hereinbe'iore described, the second quality seeds oit value are removed trom the basket, 1.0. leaving therein only such light material as chart, pieces ot' straw, etc.

The basket, 10, now containing,- light retuse material with which may be mixed seeds havingsome value as chicken or stock feed, is moved by the trolley to a position above a tank that contains clear water which will serve to stratity whatever remains of seeds of value and the lighter chatf or straw, the seeds ot value settlingin the water to the bottom. the basket, l0. being worked in connection with that tank, 5lq in av similar manner to that in which itI is worked in connection with the tanks containingr solus tions ot greater density than water. The seeds ot' value stratilied by the operation the tank, 5l, after beine; discharged into the tank, 5l, are discharged Jrom the latter through anoutlet pipe, having; valve, 53, into a lower collectingv ta which has an out-let pipe, 55, that 1 the seed ot' value to the centriiuggje, ita, the pipe` having' a valve, 5G` and above the valve. 56, a branch outlet, 5T, haidna` valve. 58, is provided for draining` water or liquid that may flow into the tank1 5st, alone` with the seeds of value. The pipe, 57. discharges to a receiving` tank, 59, ltrom which by a pump, 60, the water or liquid may be pumped through a pipe, G1, to an elevated tank, GQ. The receiving` tank, 59. has a settliiip,` or sediment box, G3.

The subjection ot the contents ot the basket to the action ot water in the tank, 5l, washes therefrom any treating,` solution which may adhere thereto` and such solution is sal vaged by the drainage that takes place from the tank, 5%, through the valved pipe, 57. lt will be understood that the inlet end ot the pipe` 57, has a screen that permits only liquid to pass into such pipe.

fft r treatment in the tank, 5l, the basket is carried to a tank, 63, and inverted thereover so as to empty the cha'l and other re'tuse contents still remaining in the basket, l0, into the tank, Gil. and from thetank, G3. the materials (lumped therein are discharged bj an outlet pipe, (Si, leading); from the bottom ot tank. G3, to the tank, 5ft. and the tlow or passage ot the chatl y ete.x is facilitated or accomplished by discharging water thereon while in the tank, G3, in sutiicient volume ttor the purpose. The outlet pipe, di, has a valve. (35, just above the tank, 54, and hence by reason oi the valve, in the pipe, 52, the tanks, 5l and 63, may at dit- 't'erent times be placed in communication with the tank. 5st, and hence no mixing of the ,eeds of value removed as a result ot' the treatment in tank` 5l, and the chaff coming: it'rom tank, (53. will take place` and it there is any residue ot either remaining in the tank, 5st, the amount remaining,` will be unimportant. The water or liquid to flush the chail and other like waste from the tank, G3. may be taken by a pipe, 6G, that leads from the bottoni oi the tank 62, a valve, 6i", beiugr provided to control the outflow through the pipe, 66. A pipe, (38, connected with the tank, (32, has a valved connection, G9, with each of the solution tanks, 2d, 24 and 2st, and tanks, and 63, for the purpose ot replenishinpj the solution in such tanks, and in the case of the tanks, 24a, and 2st", ot diminishing the density thereof which is apt to be increased in the operation of the apparatus by the transfer trom tank, 24, ot solution ot the greatest density along with the contents oit the basket, l0.

ln some cases it may not be necessary to suhmeree the liual residue ot chaff` etc., in the water or liquid ot tank, 5l, but merely to wash or rinse off .trom such residue adheringr solution and for that purpose a spray head. TO, may be provided havingw a valved pipe that takes water or liquid :trom the overhead tank, G2, such spray head, 70, be-

movahly supported by a suitable flexible pipe connection to permit its .inovement to and `from position for use,

lt will be observed that with the complete unit beginning with the gravity solution tank, M- Q", or 24", and ending with the llt centrifugal or other drier, the seeds of value, whether tir-st or second'grade, do not traverse, on t-heir way to the point of final discharge from the drier mechanism as a finished product, Vany pipes or tanks through which seeds' of different grade or other inaterial have previously passed, and hence there is no danger of peiling or contaminating the separated seeds of value which would existif the various `grades of seed separated or the separated bodies of other kind passed ill succession through the same pipes or tanks to the wallsv of which seeds or materials previously passed therethrough might adherev and through inattention or unskillfull operation of the apparatus might not first be removed. The danger exists in the case of the final or waste residue which is treated in tan-ks, 51 and 63 because the product of the treatment in the tanks is delivered to the one tank, 54, and passes therefrom through the same pipe to the centrifugal, 45, but in this case any slight mixture is of no real importance because of the low value ofk the products of tanks, 51 and 63. The chaff or other wholly useless light stuff delivered to the tank, 63, might be discharged to a. waste pile instead of being delivered to the tank, 54, and thence passed to the centrifugal, 45. lt may be desirable, 'hmvever`- to treat and preserve this dockage because as a` rule, a customer having his seeed cleaned desires to know just how Amuch dockage resulted from the treatment of his seed.

As the: liquid removed by the action of the centrifugal is; gravity solution and therefore it is desirable to salvage it for use over again. a discharge pipe may be run from the centrifugal to the salvage tank, already provided, such arrangement being shown in Fig. l where the centrifugal., 45, is shown provided witfh a discharge pipe, 71, which leads to and empties inthe salvage tank, 42.

My invention may be embodied in or practiced by apparatus in which the various treating tanks in succession deliver their respective product-s to a common outlet, such an arrangement having the advantage of simplification of apparatus but which will not eiiiect the perfect esults of the vindividual units above described except with a high degree of care in the operation of the apparatus on the part of the workmen. In Figs. 3 to 5 I illustrate apparatus having a common outlet for the products of the various treating tanks and which in other respects differs from what is illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. and I will'now describe what is shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

The mixture containing and handling basket appearing in Figs; 3 to 5 comprises two cylinders, 1.0() and 101, one of which is of less diameter than the other soY that it may be moved in a telescopic fashion into and out of the other, the smaller on inner cylinder', 100, having a bottom, 110, with a valved outlet, 300, of foraminous or reticulated material and having a movable lid or cover, 120, while the large or outer cylinder, 10i, has no lid or cover butdoes have a forainino-us bottom, 111, with a valved outlet, 301, and near its lower end the cylinder, 101, carries a valved piston, 210, by which the pressure producing or pumping action on the liquid in the various water or solution holding tanks is produced and it is transferred or moved back and forth between suoli tanlas and the basket, and both cylinders have hails or handles, that of the smaller cylinder being designated 140, and the bail or handle of the larger cylinder, lOl, being designated 141, by which either one or together they may be suspendedv by the trolley hoist, 16, which maybe run back epd .forth upon the overhead track or beam, lr. Y

rlhe mixture to be treated placed inthe basket cylinder, 100, is lowered into the basket cylinder, 101, which has already been placed in the tank for rst treatment..which is the plain water tank., 180, and the-two cylinders of such basket are then together moved up and down in the tank, 180,`to force the water with the necessary pressure into the basket cylinder, 100, the result of the treatment: being the stratification of the chaff and other light material at or adjacent the level of the water in the cylinder, 100. The valved outlet,4 300, from the basketcylinder, 100, is now opened to empty therefrom into the basket cylinder, 101, all the components of the mixture except said stratum Vehrni" or other light material, and thatbeing accomplished the basket cylinder, 100, alone is lifted to clear the basket cylinder, 101, and is carried by the trolley to the point of discharge of the chaff or like refuse which preferably is a tank, 63,. having a valved outlet pipe, 64, whose discharge end is carried to a suitable point.

l/Vhat is shown in Fig. 6 gives a simplied construction, the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 being one in which after the delivery of the lowermost stratum to the tanks, 28.1, 281a and 2811, Corresp-ending to the tanks, 28, 28a and 28?), which respectively are below solution holding tanks, 241, 241% and 2411], corresponding to the solution holding `anks of Fig. l, such stratum ispassed directly to a centrifugal, 451, 451a or 4511, (according to the unit involved, from which the gravity solution is discharged) by a. pipe, 452, to a salvage tank, 453, from which by a pump, 454, it may be returned by a-pipe, 455, to the gravity tank. 241. After the gravity solution is thus drained from the 4ceutrifu.ga-l, the seed or solid material remaining therein which may have .solution adhering' to it is washed or rinsed by clear water which may be flowed into the centrifugal from a tank, 156, having a valved outlet, 457, and the rinsed Water is drai-ned from the centrifugal by a valved outlet pipe, Z158, that discharges it to a catch tank, 459, from which by a pump, 160. it may be returned to the tank, 456. for reuse until the Water reaches such a point of saturation that it forms a gravity solution that may be used in the gravity tanks, the tank, 456, being thon replenished with normal Water. The apparatus shovvn in Fig. G includes apparatus shown in Fig. 1 but not needing further description as the description given in connection With Fig. 1 is sufficient. As at no time from the discharge of seed or material from the treating` tanks, etc., of a unit.- to the centrifugal of that unit, is the seed not in liquid, there can be no lodgement of the seed at an intermediate point of the apparatus which would have to be removed before the apparatus could later be used on a different lot of seed mixture. In dealing with mixtures which contain seeds Whose specific gravity and size may be so close to that of seeds of value as to make separati-on by known appliances or methods difficult. if not impossible, I take advantage of the fact that seeds of value more readily absorb moisture than such noxious seeds by soaking a. mixture containing them in water or an aqueous solution long enough to affect the seeds of value by causing them to swell or to have their specific gravity alt-ered, the result being that the equality of the seeds is destroyed and they are placed in a condition which permits or enables their ready separation which can be accomplished by treatment in my apparatus employing gravity solutions or by other apparatus such as screens or sicves which effect the separation of bodiesbecause of difference in size.

Inasmuch as in the successive use of the apparatus With mixtures coming from diiferent sources, it may be important to preclude the presence in the baskets of any resi.- due of seed from a previous treatment, it may be desirable to provide means for assuring the removal of such residue. Seed might remain lodged upon the perforated bottom, 11. of the basket, Whose removal could be effected in various Ways. For example, the basket lifted out of the Water or solution holding tank could be partially or Wholly inverted, and air or Water by a suitable hose could be projected from the underside of the perforated bottom, to blow or Wash adhering seed therefrom which would be discharged through the opening at the other and normally top end of the basket. lf air is used. it bwould dry or help to dry the seed thus dislodged and removed from the basket. Inasmuch as it is advantageous to scari'ly seed for planting, I contemplate providing on the inner Walls of the centrifugal abrading means so that simultaneously with the moisture removing operation, the scarifying can be done, the arrangement to be such that only during a portion of the time of operation of the centrifugal will the scarifying ell'ect be produced.

ln Fig. 9 l sho i a construction of basket which is especially adapted for cleaning and separation of the good from the bad or del'cctive and the grading oit potatoes as to size. .ln this case, the basket cylinder, 102, is subdivided by horizontal screen form or perforated partitions, 103, the openings of the respective partitions being of graduated size, the partition Wit-h the largest openings being at the highest level and the others at lower levels according to the sizes of the openings or mesh. Thus by the action of the. liquid Within the basket, the rotten or defective potatoes being lighter than the sound potatoes will accumulate at the top of the liquid and by moving the basket up and down the potatoes Will gradually accumalate according to their respective sizes upon the several partitions and thus be graded according to size. The perforated partitions or screens, 103, are attached at their edges to a frame consisting of several vertical parallel bars or rods, 104, by which the partitions are supported for vertical movement and when the desired separation or grading has been accomplished and the ,t is removed from the treating tank, it 1, shown in Fig. 9, be supported at its bottom over a hole, 105. in a` table or platform. 10G, and then the partition-supporting frame may be lowered to place the partitionsl in successon below the supporting table, 10G, with the result that the potatoes resting` upon a partition will roll or fall therefrom as the partition passes beneath the table, 10G, the potatoes as they roll from a partition being received by an inclined guide, 107, which directs them to al .suitable receptacle. At the top the bars, 10i. are connected by a ring, 10S, to which is attached a bail, 109, that is connected to a supporting rod` 104?. by the up and down niovements of which the position of the partitions is fixed. The rod, 104,", passes through a guide hole, 142, in the bail, 143, by which vthe basket cylinder is sus pended. The partitions, 103. are preferably cone shaped as shown to facilitate the movement therefrom of the potatoes. The potatoes in the cylinder can be readily dried by hot air passed therethrough.

lf found desirable the Weight of the basY ket may be counter-balanced` for example, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of a counteriveight, 72, supported by a rope or chain that passes over pulleys on the trolley, 15.

rlhe pumping action by which the liquid is 'forced under pressure into and out of the basket obviously may be produced otherwise than by the use of the basket member as a piston, as for example by the pump, 73, sh'oivnv in Fig; 10.

Various materials may be used to increase the density of Waterto provide the gravity solutionsy employed in the practice oit my invention. Thus sugar, salt, honey, glucoseAl syrup, Water glass, sodium nitrate, potassium carbonate and potassiumy iodide may be used, and in some cases certain oi' them may be used together' or alone. lilaterials possessing insecticide properties may be used and tho-se which have a ertilizing eftect may be used.

A clear idea ol the procedure.involved in eecting the stratification and separation ot the several components of a mixture may be had by reference to Fig. ll. ln F ig. ll the stratification which results from the treatment in the tank 242, containing the solution of the heaviest density is shown, the commencement oi the discharge from the basket of the gravel, etc., that is too heavy to bc lloated by the solution, being shown. ln tank 242%, Fig. l1, the condition is shown atte-r the heavy material resulting trom the first solution treatment Vhas been removed and the stratification that results from the next following'treatment is illustrated, the heam'est material in such case being the seeds ofv value ot rst grade that are too heavy to be floated in the solution. rllhe operator by Watching, stops the tloiv from the basket 10a, 'and the solutionholding tank after the lOWe-rmost strata or" non-Hosting material has run oil so that no discharge ot' the solution can proceed far enough to allen' the bodies floating thereinto pass oil.

T he {low-discharge of the different strata may as illustrated in F ig. ll be ellected by means of a siphon which may be a 'llexible tube or hose, Tfl, Which is introduced through an opening or hole inthe basket Wall sutiiciently high above the level of the contents the basket iv iose inlet end may be placed Within the stratum, (which may be the loirest or highest or any intermediate stratum), to be' drawn oiigthe lower or dischznj'ey end of the hose being carried to a centrifugal drier; 75, so that the currentof liquid and seed or other bodies ioiving through the siphonivill be delivered directly 'from the ha sket to the centrifugal drier, Jfrom Which the dried product and the solution Will be separately discharged, the solution being returned to the treating tank for reuse. Vsllien the hose is Withdrawn irom the hole in the basket Wall, such hole may be closed in an air-tigl-it manner by a cap, 76, so that the use of the basket in connection' with the closed cover at the top thereof tor holding the liquid in the basket at a height regardless of the level of the liquid in the treating tank may not be interfered with. Ot course, theA hose could be inserted Vthrough the hole in the top off the basket by opening the cover.

By the process of flowing `olf a stratum ot segregated bodies, Whch i-s done by gravity or siphonic action, it Will be seen that no agitation or movement ot the basket contents isV caused Which would result in remix the components of the mixture which is a thing that occurs when removal of a stratum is attempted by some scoop or other device which is caused to travel through the solution tio-ated bodies. This gravity or siphon separat-ion by Jflowing the stratum to be removed from the basket is so eiiicient that although a perfectly quiescent state of the lioated portion of the mixture is desir able during the flowing oli" process, yet no ill effects come from some slight movement ot' the basket up and down during the draW- ing oil process and under some conditions such a slight up and down movement oi the basket may promote or expedite the discharge from the basket of the bodies ot the loivermost stratum when the bott-om outlet is used.

As shown in F ig. 6, the observation Win.- doivs may be applied in the outlet pipe from theV treating tanks instead of in the. latte-r, such'yvindoivs, 77, being provided in. the enlarged portion, 78, of said pipes, 79;

In Fig; 6, (as also in Fig. l1), a siphon, MQ is providedto draw off the basket contents as Well as the discharge hole at the bottom of the basket, the Siphon, 74d, being passed through the top opening of the basket and of a length tov discharge directly to the centrifugal, 451. This double provision is made as it may be desirable to discharge certain strata by siphonic action and others by mere gravitation through the basket bottom outlet. The siphon when not in use can be coiled up on` top oi the basket as shown in Fig. 6.V

'lo enable chai'i or other light stuft' that would not submerge of' its own Weight to be siphoned oil, a piston likeplunger, 80,

could be placed in the basket, `as shown in dotted lines Fig.` 4C, attached, iil desired, to the Siphon, near its inlet end by which the light stuft could be forced down into the liquid so as to flow oli` with the latter through the Siphon. Or, by connecting the siphon with a suction pump, such light ma.- te-rial could be thereby sucked out.

ln Fig. 13 l show pneumatic means for removing the different strata which coma suction' or vacuum pump, 8l, and a pipe or tube, 82, that is introduced into the basket, 10d. In this case the basket is removed from the treating tanks and con tains no liquid. so that one stratum ot bodies lies upon another, and, hence, only the soli-d matters are drawn ofi". To prevent the seed or other bodies entering the pump, 81, (to their damage) the pipe or tube, 82, is made in tivo sections Which communicate with a cat-ch receptacle 82., into which the seed,A etc.,

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tall, when the air carrying, them enters said receptacle, the air alone passing out of the receptacle. screen or perforated batlie plaieSB, in the receptacle in the path of the se'eu and air current, which assures the arrest ot the seed.

Referring;- to Fin'. 1'2. Water and solutions ot' graduated density are respectively placed in tanks. Si, S5, SG and S7, and troni each of said tanks a pipe, SS. runs to the same treating' or operating: tank, 24C, each ot such pipes having' a valve to control communication between it and thc operating tank, QJEC. rEhe basket. i0, for holding' the mixture to be treated thus requires to be moved only vertically and hence the necessity ot transporting` it horizontally when separate treating tanks are employed is avoided. ln Fie'. l2, a siphon pipe or tube, 74, is shown entering the basket, 10, at the top, its lower or discharge end delivering to a centrifugal drier, tin. having` an outlet 'for the dried seed or solid bodies and a discharge pipe for the liquid which is delivered to a` tank from which it pumped back to the appropriate supply tank for reuse. The normal water Which passes from tank. Sil'. to the treating' tanln'ic, is preferably discharged from the centrifugal by a` pipe, 71, to a tank, 72, Jfrom which it may be pumped by a pump. 73.'throug1'h a vertical pipe from which valved connections, 75C, run to each ot the supply tanks so thatl the Water may be passed into any one of such tanks as may be required. The solution passing into the centrifugal. to", is discharged trom the latter preferably by a pipe, 76, to a tank 77C, from which by a pump, 7 8, it is raised by a vertical pipe, 79C, to the pipe havingr the valved connections, 79d, so that the solution may be returned to any one ot the solution tanks, S6 and S7. By outlet, 24, there may be direct gravity removal ot seeds, etc., to centrifugal, Al.

Referring back to Fig'. 13, it will be understood that there is a separate pneumatic pipe or tube` 82, with its catch receptacle, S2, ior each layer or stratum ot bodies to be removed. and that such receptacles must be air-tight. Leading` trom the bottom ot each receptacle. S52, is a'valved outlet pipe., S9, troni which the .seed or bodies 'falling' therein are discharged to a centrifugal. C. To cause the flow from the receptacle, S2, ot Seed or solid bodies collected therein, Water is introduced into the top by means ot a valved connection, 90, with pipe, 9i, that receives water troni an elevated tank.` From each centrifugal the Water is drained into a catch tank. 93. trom which it may be pumped back into the tank. 92, by a pump, fil- 'tronnn'hieh a pipe, 95, runs to the tank, 99. inasmuch as without great care it ivould be ditiicult it'not impossible to prevent the bodies ot adjacent layers being drawn ot at the same time which would be objectionable to deliver to the tanks, 8:2, l prefer to provide a separate tank, S2, and pneumatic pipe, S2", which at one end is connected with'the vaciuun pump, 81, and at the other end nia-y be introduced into the basket, l0, to'take jfrom the latter the adjacent portions ot two layers or strata and these intermediate or doubtful bodies are preferably returned to the basket, 10, by a valve discharge pipe, 89, leading troni the bottoni ot the catch receptacle or tank, SQ", to be treated over agaiinwvater being supplied to the tank tor the doubtful material by a branch, 90, from the pipe, 9i, which takes water from the elevated tank,

The centrifugal shown in detail in Fig. l-i is ot a Well known type having a drum, 93, with perforated walls carried by a vertical shatt, Sl. Reachingv orslightly belenT the top rini oi the drinn a cylindrical shell. 95, whose inner periphery is roughened to forni an abrading' surface which shell is supported either stationarily relative to the rotating,r drum or supported so that it'v 'may operate in the opposite direction at a desired speed. As shown in Fig. 14, said shell is attached by a ange, 9G, to the top ot' the casing of the machine as by means ot bolts, 97, so that when the aln'ading` surface becomes worn a new shell may be read ily substituted. lVhen in the operation olf the centrifugal the seed rises to the top of the rotating' shell the momentum it has will car ry it up over and into contact with the abrad* ing' surface ot the shell, and the seed Will thereby be seariiied and Will fall down through the central portion ot the drum to the bottom thereof and again be thrown outward by centrifugal torce. crowding other seed againstthe perforated Wall ol.2 the drum and itself again be carried to the abrading surface, this operation being carried on as lona as necessary. Inasmuch as the seed thrown against and rebounding' from the abrading surface is loosened up instead of beine' in a densely compacted state on the perforated ivall ot the drum, the drying' ot' the seed is expedited since the air has treer access thereto and 'it desired heated air may be Vintroduced into the centrifugal to'act upon the loosened up and iiying seed. A centrifugal provided with the shell with the abradinp; surface can also be used for'hulline` clover and other seed.

lVhat I claim is:

l. The method ot separating' mixtures ot bodies ot different specific gravity which consists in enveloping' such mixture While in a receptacle in a liquidV that causes the bodies to occupy ditt'erent levels according; to their Yrespective specitie ,eravities and then separating the different strata by removal of a stratum from the bottom 1n the presence ot liquid inI the stratied mass retaining in such receptacle for subsequent treatment what is above Vsuch bottonistratuin.

2. Themethod ot'separating'mixtures ot bodies of diii'erent lspecific gravity` which consists in enveloping such mixture While in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy different. levels according to their respective gravities, and suc,` cessively ren'ioving` the different strata moving' one stratum at a time dovrnu'arf. the presence ot liquid in the strati ded mass retaining in such receptacle tor subsequent treatment what is above such bottoni stratum.y l r A Y 3,'The method oi"separatingmixtures ci bodies ot diiiierenti'specitic gravity which consists'v in placing the mixture inv a cepta'cle, subjectingthe mixture to the action ot a liquid that causes disposition ot the bodies at different levels according to their, respective specific gravities, Withdrawingv from the receptacle a layer in the presence o'f' liquid in the stratii'ied mass, and then repeating the same treatment with what remains in the receptacle. 'y

4. The method of separating mixtures or' bodies ot diierent speciiic gravity .vhich consists in placing the mixture in the receptacle, subjectingl such mixture to the action of a liquid that causes disposition oi the bodies at different levels 'accordino' to their respective gravities, and discha ng through the bottom of the receptacle, by gravity the lowerinost layerA in the p esence ot' liquid in the strutied mass retaining in such receptacle 'for subsequent treatment what is above such bottom stratum.

5. The methodV of separating mixtures oi" bodies ot-"diiiierent specific gravity which consists inplacing the mixture in a receptacle, introducing the receptacle in sucession to tanks that respectively contain liquids ci different densities, and intermediate the action oit' liquid in sucessive tanks removing a bottom stratum of bodies from the receptacle in the presence of liquid in the strati lied mass retaining inV such receptacle for subsequent treatment What is above such bottom stratum.

6. The method of separating mixtures of bodies of different speciiic gravity which consists in enveloping such mixture VWhile in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy dierent levels according to their respective specific gravities, and then separating the different strata by'removal of a stratum from the bottom in the presence of liquid in the stratiiied mass retaining in such receptacle for subsequenttreatment What is above such bottom stratum by iiovving the bodies ot Vsuch stratum in a stream along with liquid into a receptacle and then separating such bodies and the liquid.

- 7. The method of separating mixtures of bodies of dierent specific gravity which consists in vsubjecting the mixture while in a receptacle to the action of a liquid that causes disposition of the bodies at diierent levels according to their respective specitic gravities, the liquid having a density that- Will sust-ain certainof the bodies but not others, and then withdrawing by gravitation the bodies too heavy to be sustained by the liquid retaining in such receptacle for subsequent treatment vvhat is above such bottom stratum'and then subjecting what is retained to the action of a liquid of different density and then withdrawing by gravitation the `bodies Vtoo heavy to be sustained by such liquid. i

8. The method of separating mixtures 0I" bodies of different speciiic gravity which consists in subjecting the mixture While'in a receptacle to the action of a liquid that causes disposition of the bodies at different levels according totheir respective specific gravities, the liquid having a density that will sustain certain of the bodies but not others, then withdrawing, by gravitation,

the bodies too heavy to be sustained by the liquid, and then repeating the same treatment With What remains in the receptacle' in a liquidof less density than that previously used.

y 9. The method of separating mixtures of bodies oie diiierent specific gravity which consists in enveloping such mixture inV succession in liquids of diierent' density each liquid stratii'ying the bodies in different levels according to their respective specific gravities and separating' a stratum in the presenceA oi:A the stratitying liquid between the sucessive treatments.

l0. The method of separating mixtures of bodies ot d-iiierent kinds and some of which absorb moisture Which-consists in subjecting the bodies While mixed to the action of a liquid long enough to differentiate the bodies physically in a Way in which they are not differentiated normally, and then subjecting them to treatment that will separate them on the basis of their changed physical condition.

1 1. classifying apparatus comprising a liquid holding tank, a mixture holding basket having an outlet at its bottom, the liquid in the tank entering the'basket when placed therein and having a density that will fioat a certain component of the mixture but not another, and an outlet from the bottom of the tank thro-ugh which to flow `the mixture component not floated by the liquid. Y

l2. A classifying apparatus comprising a liquid-holding tank, a mixtureeholding basket, the tank and basket being separable, pressure means for causing an interchange ofliquid between the tank and the interior loo CFL

of the basket, the liquid having density to iioat one component of the mixture but not another, and means independent of said pressure means to separate the components of the mixture when stratiiied.

ll. il classifyingapparatus comprisingl a liquid holdingl tank, means to confine the mixture to be classilied when enveloped in the liquid in such tank, means to remove from such tank aportion et the mixture classilied therein along with a portion of the liquid in the tank comprising a second tank, a drier to which such liquid and mixture component that enter the second tank are delivered together, and means Yfor the separate discharge from such drier ot said liquid and said component.

lll. A classifying appaatus complasing a liquid holding tank, means to conine the mixture to be classiiied when enveloped in the liquid in such tank, means to remove trom such tank a portion of the mixture classiiied therein along with a portion ot' the liquid in the tank comprising a second tank. aI drier to which such liquid and mixture component that enter the second tank are delivered together, means for the separate discharge trom such drier of said liquid, and said component, and means to return the liquid thus separated to the first mentioned tank. y

15. The method of separating mixtures ot bodies of ditferent specilic gravity which consists in enveloping such a mixture While in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy different levels according to their respective specific gravities, and then separating the diiierent strata by causing the bodies thereof to flow from the revceptacle in a stream with the stratifying liquid, solely by atmospheric pressure.

1G. The method of separating mixtures ot' bodies ot' different specific gravity which consists in enveloping such a mixture while in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy dierent levels according to their respective specific gravities, and then separat-ing the dilierent strata by causing the bodies thereof to flow from the reccptaele in a stream with the stratii'ying liquid, solely by gravitation.

17. A classifying apparatus comprising a mixture and liquid holding receptacle, the liquid having density that will stratit'y the components of a mixture, and means for drawing ott the liquid and stratilied bodies therein by siphonic action.

18. A classifying apparatus comprising a mil-:ture and liquid holding receptacle, the liquid having density7 that Will stratify the components ot a mixture, means for drawing eti the liquid and stratified bodies therein by siphonic action, and means for removing a stratum independently of siphonic action.

lf). A. classifying apparatus comprising a mixture holding basket, a. liquid holding tank into and out of which the basket is mr able, the liquid havin'g` a density that causes the stratification ot' the components oi the mixture in the basket, and pneumatic means to remove the different strata.

Q0. il classifying apparatus comprising` a mixture holding basket, a liquid holding tank into and out of Which the basket is movable. the liquid having a density that causes the stratification of the components ot the mixture in the basket, and pneumatic means to remove the diiierent strata com prising a suction pump and a conduit between the pump and the basket having a catch tank for solid bodies at a point intermediate the basket and the pump.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atx my signature.

HARRY R. WARREN. 

